Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali is gearing up for his next directorial venture and it’s believed that he’s likely to work with his favourite actress, Deepika Padukone for the fourth time.

Until recently, there was talk of Alia Bhatt forming a creative alliance with the filmmaker, but that seems to have fallen through. Though Alia and Bhansali were both keen on collaborating, Karan Johar whisked away the actress first in a move typical of the Johar-Bhansali talent war.

Karan decided to make his first epic costume drama a la Bhansali and he wanted Alia to be a part of it. Naturally, the actress, who’s had some of her biggest hits with Dharma Productions, couldn’t say no.

“As much as Alia would love to be in one of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s films — who wouldn’t want to work with the master creator? — her first priority is Karan Johar, whom she considers a father figure. The minute Karan initiated Kalank, Alia abandoned all plans to work with Bhansali, at least for the time being,” a source says.

This is the second time that things haven’t worked out for Alia and Bhansali.